Wednesday, April 6, 2011

A Guide to Terrific Marriage Proposals

By Heather Pike


Popping the question to your beloved when the time is right is a huge decision that might make even the most collected, self-assured person unusually nervous. To demystify the process and turn it into a manageable-- and ultimately fun and rewarding- task, it helps to form your proposal idea around some basic decisions about your partner's personality and interests, and the things and places that hold special meaning to both of you.

To get started, decide if you want the proposal to be public, private, or a balance of the two. Getting the entire staff of a restaurant involved in the proposal or asking via a flash mob of dancers might create a wonderful memory for some, but others who are more introverted or prefer to keep such emotional occasions between the two of you may wish you'd just presented the ring over breakfast.

Proposals that fall into the in-between category are usually a safe bet for all temperaments, and these often give you room to be the most creative. A classic example of this kind of proposal would be popping the question during a walk or picnic at your favorite park, or a romantic dinner at the restaurant where you had your first date. Modern variations on the semi-public proposal include a scavenger hunt leading to you with engagement ring in hand, or the question written in the sand during a walk on the beach.

The engagement ring should suit your beloved in the same ways that the proposal is tailored to do, so choosing it should be approached with some of the same questions in mind. An interesting ring with more than one metal type, or something unusually elegant like an eternity band are good choices for those interested in something beyond the traditional plain bands or diamond solitaires. An eternity band with favorite precious stones or an ultra-modern tungsten ring may be the way to go; tungsten rings are great for engraving, and an eternity ring can be personalized with the shape and color the wearer would like best.

In the digital age, technology has become a popular means to propose, and many people now choose to pop the question through various media. Anything from creating a Facebook event for your engagement and inviting your intended (also a fun way to announce it to friends and family-invite them after you get a yes!) to uploading a video proposal will make this moment unique and memorable.




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